Month: July 2024

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Possible small eruption in Katla volcano, glacier flood ongoing

Starting sometimes late yesterday (26-July 2024), a small eruption seems to have started in Katla volcano. At the writing of this article, the eruption seems to be over, but it might restart at any time without warning, it is impossible to know at the moment, since harmonic tremor is unclear for now because of the glacier flood. Largest earthquake at the writing of this article had magnitude of Mw2,9.

Red dots showing small earthquakes in east part of Katla volcano caldera in Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
Earthquake activity in Katla volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.
Harmonic tremor plot from Icelandic Met Office. Showing increased harmonic tremor starting at around midnight of 27-July 2024. Reaching peak few hours later before starting to lower again.
The harmonic tremor in Austmannsbunga SIL station. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

Glacier flood is ongoing and is going to be ongoing for next few hours. The area around Mýrdalsjökull glacier is dangerous because of this.

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Earthquake swarm in Brennisteinsfjöll volcano

Today (5-July 2024) an earthquake swarm started in Brennisteinsfjöll volcano. Largest earthquake had a magnitude of Mw3,1 at 07:17 UTC. This earthquake was felt in Reykjavík and nearby areas.

The earthquake swarm on the left side on this image, with orange dots because of the age of the earthquakes on the map. Green star shows the largest earthquake.
Earthquake activity in Brennisteinsfjöll volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

At the writing of this article, the earthquake swarm seems to have stopped. It might restart again, since that is common in this volcano and in this area.

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Earthquake swarm in Presthnúkar volcano

Yesterday (3-July 2024) an earthquake swarm took place in Presthnúkar volcano. Largest earthquake in this swarm had a magnitude of Mw3,3. It was reported that it was felt in nearby tourist areas.

Green star in Presthnúkar volcano, along with dots showing smaller earthquakes. Langjökull glacier is shown on the top stretching to the north.
Earthquake activity in Presthnúkar volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

Earthquake swarms are not common in this area. Currently I am not expecting more activity in this volcano. This earthquake activity has since stopped.